Body paralyzed, but not his spirit

Dylan Aste (left), who was injured while playing football for Orange Glen High, has his photo taken with Judge William McCurine Jr. after Aste was sworn into the State Bar of California.
Courtesy Photo

Aste, 30, who has limited use of his arms, has a specially equipped van but still can’t drive. He’s in the process of learning to drive with hand controls — something he said “would be life changing” — but hand controls are extremely expensive.

After graduating from SDSU, Aste enrolled at the University of San Diego School of Law, earning a degree while finishing in the top 10 percent of his class.

“I really like the legal field,” Aste said. “I worked for three judges in law school, so I have a lot of experience on the judge side.

“I’ve had a lot of part-time positions over the last couple of years, but haven’t nailed down that full-time position.”

Aste said he’s still not used to being in a wheelchair, but he changed in college when he was forced to be on his own.

“My mother has been my biggest champion the whole time,” he said.

Hamm calls her a true saint. Carter said she’s the strongest human on the planet.

“Michael Carter and his sister, Stacy, and their family have been with me the whole time, too,” Aste said.

Neither Aste nor Carter had a father in their lives.

“Dylan is a complete genius, a person with amazing qualities,” Stacy Carter said. “He had some dark times, but I’ve never seen him throw a temper tantrum.

“If I’m having a bad day, if my kids are acting up, I take a step back and think of Dylan. The injury hasn’t broken him. He’s an inspiration to me.”

Despite being injured on the football field, Aste doesn’t blame the game.

“Going in, I knew the risks involved in playing football,” Aste said. “If a parent were to ask me if his child should play, I’d say, ‘Yes.’ What happened to me was a freak accident.

“I watch football all the time. I’d love to be involved in the game, but it hasn’t worked out. I still live and die with San Diego State.